Act One Scene One

1. Near the end of Scene I, what do Flavius and Marullus plan to do? They’re going to take down the fabric scarves that have been used to decorate statues of Caesar. They want to deny the celebration of Caesar’s victory over Pompey

2. What worries them about Caesar? He’s a bully, they say, who is worshipped without cause. They fear that he’ll become the king and hold too much power. They also say he thinks too highly of himself.

3. Why are Marullus and Flavius determined to destroy the celebration of Caesar’s victory over Pompey? ? They dislike Caesar and are irritated by the hypocritical people who used to love Pompey but now are celebrating Caesar’s victory over Pompey.

4. A pun is a word that is used in an unconventional, often humorous way, so as to suggest multiple meanings. Though the use of puns is not generally considered a dramatic technique, Shakespeare does use such word play to define dramatic conflicts. Scan the following sentences for examples of puns. Write down the letters of the following sentences that actually contain puns: a. Those new police computers really help take a byte out of crime. b. Gary almost lost his head when someone tried to cut in line. c. I don’t know why anyone would want to see the rock band Electrified Zombies. d. My Dad speaks cross words only when he’s doing the New York Times Sunday Puzzle. e. A man looking very down in the mouth tried to make his way to the front of the line. f. Because our tiny kitten liked cold-cuts, we named her Deli-cat. g. “We broke our necks to get here on time,” Gary said

Act One Scene Two

1. Contrast Marc Antony and Brutus using at least three differences about the men. competitive and loves sports He smiles a lot enjoys plays, music, and dancing Caesar’s closest political ally Brutus says he’s not as competitive and doesn’t hold much interest in the racing and merriment is a much more serious, thoughtful guy Caesar’s longest friend

2. Find and write two examples that Cassius uses to show that Caesar has a “weak character.” Cassius holds no respect for Caesar because Caesar once challenged him to a swimming contest, but then needed to be rescued from the waters. Cassius recalls having to carry Caesar out of the Tiber River. He also says that Caesar was sick and frail one time when they were in Spain; he was weak with a fever and shaky. This isn’t very manly or tough,

3. Choose two of the following words that best describe Cassius’ tone in his conversation with Brutus: helpful cunning deceitful shrewd humble arrogant premeditated irrational loving manipulative

4. Despite their friendship, why doesn’t Brutus want Caesar to become king? He fears that Caesar will lead Rome into hard times.

5. Who does Caesar characterize as having “a lean and hungry” look 5. Who does Caesar characterize as having “a lean and hungry” look? Given Caesar’s superstitious nature, how would you expect him to behave in this person’s presence? Cassius Caesar will certainly hold Cassius at a careful distance. He won’t trust Cassius and will keep a watchful eye on him.

6. Who explains the shouts of the distant crowds to Brutus and Cassius 6. Who explains the shouts of the distant crowds to Brutus and Cassius? If his account is plausible, what does it say about Caesar? Casca. It says that Caesar is pretty good at trying to appear humble while actually manipulating the crowd into giving him what he wants – the crown.

Act One Scene Three

1. Why is Casca frightened as this scene opens? He’s seen some pretty crazy things: a lion roaming the streets of Rome a slave with a burning hand that didn’t cause any harm to the flesh a night owl hooting at noon women have told him that there are men on fire walking the streets of Rome.

2. What does Cassius think the signs mean? He says that these are all warnings of unnatural things to come. Caesar’s leadership is the same as these dreadful things. It’s unnatural and means that the world is not right.

3. Cassius doesn’t think too highly of Caesar 3. Cassius doesn’t think too highly of Caesar. Write some of the words/phrases that Cassius has used that show his contempt for Caesar. Cassius insinuates that Caesar as king would have monstrous qualities like that of the omens Casca has reported. Cassius calls Caesar a tyrant, sets him up as a predator Caesar = wolf; Rome = sheep / Caesar = lion; Rome = deer Cassius even suggests that death would be better than living under Caesar’s rule.

4. Who speaks the following quote. About whom is it said 4. Who speaks the following quote? About whom is it said? What does it mean? O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts,/ And that which that which would appear offense in us,/ His countenance, like richest alchemy / Will change to virtue and to worthiness. Casca is saying his to Cassius. He is talking about Brutus. What does it mean? If we kill Caesar, it will look bad to the community. Brutus, however, is highly respected. If we can get him involved with the assassination, people will think it’s respectable and necessary to protect Rome. The second part means that Brutus is like an alchemist, who can turn a worthless piece of metal into valuable gold.